Your picks?
Since the playoffs start tonight (sorry to bring up a sore subject, Kings fans) I figured I'd see what everyone was thinking, as far as who will be lifting the Cup in a few weeks. It's more wide open than I've ever seen it. In the West, I honestly believe everyone except Calgary has a shot, and I eliminate the Flames only because they've been so bad on the road this season. In the East, Buffalo has been the gold standard all season, but all it takes is one hot goalie to end that.
I'm going to go with San Jose taking out Vancouver in the West finals and New Jersey edging Buffalo in the East. Then I'll take the Sharks to bring the Cup to California for the first time. Really though, you could make a case for any of about 12 teams, and I wouldn't argue with you.
Here are the votes I submitted for the NHL awards. Not sure if I'm supposed to make them public, but oh well.
Hart: Roberto Luongo
Norris: Nicklas Lidstrom
Calder: Evgeni Malkin
Byng: Kristian Huselius
Selke: Samuel Pahlsson
The hardest choice, by far, was the Hart. I went back and forth between Luongo, Sidney Crosby, Vincent Lecavalier and Martin Brodeur. I didn't have a Vezina vote, so maybe that influenced my decision to pick a goalie. Ultimately I just thought Luongo made his team better than any other single player improved his team. I thought hard about Scott Niedermayer for Norris but Lidstrom had an outstanding year. I gave Kopitar a second-place vote for Calder and a place on my All-Rookie team.
The second part of the Kings' forward analysis will be posted soon.
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About Rich Hammond
Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor. E-mail Rich at rich.hammond@dailynews.com.
Who wins the Stanley Cup....
If Luongo can do in the playoffs what he has done in the regular season, it's hard to argue against them, and that's who I'd choose.
But ultimately, as long as it's not the Ducks, I'm OK.
I love S.J.'s size, strength, speed, goaltending, toughness and scoring depth. If their PP stays as good as it's been, I like S.J. A LOT in these playoffs. Lombardi deserves credit for the type of team they have their.
Rich, you were generous to give Kopitar second place in the Calder voting. Paul Stastny, Jordan Staal and maybe even Mark-Eduard Vlasic deserve consideration for the "silver medal."
Dustin Penner, despite limited ice time, nearly bagged 30 goals (he'll be an impact player in the post-season, IMHO)
I loved what Kopitar brought to the table, but it was interesting to see guys like Brown and O'Sullivan really crystalize when Anze was injured. The team played as well, if not a little better, without him.
As for the playoffs, I am really pulling for the Ducks, but (a) I like the Wild a lot, and think they are prime to surprise, and (b) if gas prices stay this high, or god forbid, rise... Go Wild ;)
Rich,
San Jose all the way! They are disciplined, consistent, and smart--everything that the NHL promotes with the new rules and yet isn't as bland, boring, and robot-like like the Schmucks, I mean--Ducks.
I enjoyed reading your about your vote submission; thank you for sharing your mindset, thought process and ideas with us!
*There really should be a "Rich Hammond" Award for interesting, loyal and smart candidates!*
My prediction was San Jose against New Jersey all along also. I see New Jersey hoisting the cup though. San Jose I truly believe if they played at their top level no other team can compare yet they pulled that off maybe a few times this season. As for NJ well they have Brodeur simply stated.
For Calder I agree that it will be interesting seeing who lands the most votes. Between Vlasic, Penner, Kopitar, Malkin, Stastny, Staal an argument can be made for each one. The awards should be interesting most of all the Hart whome I think Brodeur should win.
Gotta go with Detroit vs Sabres in the finals. I know I am in the minority here!
I think on paper all of the other rookies were equal to Kopitar. He seems to be better than most of the others in the intagibles part of the game and he is younger. he may not be better than the others this year, but I have a feeling Kopitar will be the best overall hockey player when all is said and done.